Manila, Philippines – House leaders cited yesterday the appointment of career and veteran diplomat Sonia Brady as the country’s new envoy to China, citing that her longtime experience in the diplomatic service would help address the lingering territorial dispute between Manila and Beijing.
House Speaker Feliciano “Sonny“ R. Belmonte Jr. is counting on Brady, who also served as the country’s ambassador to China from April 2006 to January 2010, would help resolve the Panatag Shoal standoff that started last April.
“I’m sure that her appointment will help our government settle the dispute with China given her long-time experience with Philippines-China relations,“ he said.
From 1976 to 1978, Brady was the Third Secretary and Vice Consul and Second Secretary and Consul of the Philippine Embassy in Beijing.
During President Benigno S. Aquino III’s state visit to China in 2011, Brady briefed the President and his delegation on Philippines-China bilateral rela tions.
Iloilo Rep. Jerry Trenas, chairman of the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, also agreed with the Speaker, and hailed the decision of Aquino to appoint Brady, whom he described, as a “good choice.“
“At least the issue can be handled professionally by an experienced diplomat,“ he said.
Akbayan party-list Rep. Walden Bello, chairman of the House Committee on Overseas’ Workers Affairs, supported Brady’s appointment, believing that she would finally bridge the gap between the two governments.
“This is a time to get the professionals to manage the crisis, not the amateurs,“ he said. (Charissa M. Luci)
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